A few must-know labour laws for employees in the UAE Wednesday, Jan 9 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid Al Adha and Eid ul Adha and Eid ul Fitr and Fujairah and National Day and New Year 2008 and Ramadan and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and expatriates and human rights and sharjah and updates eupdate 6:07 am

With the United Arab Emirates having the status of a popular choice for exploring job opportunities, especially in the Third World countries, there are some labour laws that existing and prospective employees in the country should know. Here’s an overview:

• Federal Labour Law, Article 74 and Article 81: There are some official holidays every employee is entitled to (with full wage). These are:

o One holiday on New Year Day as per the Gregorian calendar
o One holiday on New Year Day as per the Islamic calendar
o Two holidays on Eid Al Fitr
o Three holidays on Eid Al Adha and Arafat Day
o One holiday on the National Day
o One holiday on the Israawal Meraj
o One holiday on Prophet Mohammed’s birthday

If work circumstances compel an employee to work full time or part time on an official holiday, s/he must be compensated with a leave and a compensatory extra 50 percent of the full wage. In the event of non-compliance with this rule, the employee will be paid 150 percent of the basic wage for the work days.

• Federal Labour Law, Article 83: During the probation period, an employee is not entitled to a paid sick leave. After the end of the probation period, if an employee falls ill on completion of more than three months in continuous service, s/he is entitled to continuous or interrupted 90 days’ leave per year.

The salary for the paid sick leave will be calculated on the following basis:

o First 15 days: full wage
o Next 30 days: half wage
o Following period: no pay

 

MoL to Stand by Workers’ Rights in Abu Dhabi Tuesday, Nov 6 2007 

Abu Dhabi and UAE and expatriates and human rights and illegal immigrants and updates eupdate 6:24 am

In order to make sure that the labour rights of workers are protected, the Ministry of Labour in the United Arab Emirates government will undertake inspections of work sites and companies. Companies in Abu Dhabi will be inspected by a team of two inspectors each. Around 100 inspectors have been appointed for the task.

Procedures regarding the payment of wages and overtime benefits will also be inspected in order to make sure that companies are complying with labour laws. If a company is found to be violating the labour laws of the country with regard to salary payment or living conditions, strict penalties will be imposed on them. This can amount to downgrading of status, blocking of work permits and a fine of 10,000 AED.

According to Abu Dhabi Naturalization and Residency Department (ADNRD), the inspection drive will be coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Interior. The MoL has ordered companies in Abu Dhabi to be ready with a study on the status of labourers. This has been done with an aim to ensuring their rights and fixing a minimum wage.

MoL order no. 27/1 (1981) requires employers to provide transportation, suitable housing, food, drinking water and first aid along with sports and recreational facilities to its employees.

Also read on this blog:

• UAE construction sector wages to be reviewed
• The dark underbelly of property boom in UAE
• Human rights protection in the UAE

 

UAE construction sector wages to be reviewed Monday, Nov 5 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and UAE and amnesty and expatriates and human rights and illegal immigrants and real estate and updates eupdate 11:10 am

The UAE government has announced a review of workers’ wages in the construction sector, following a series of strikes recently. The Cabinet has ordered a study on the salaries of construction workers. In the next few days, the Labour Ministry of the emirates will be contacting concerned companies in this regard.

The Labour Ministry requires that employers pay salaries without any deduction for any reason whatsoever. The decision of the government to look into the salaries of construction workers comes as a response to strikes by workers against poor living conditions and meagre wages.

At the same time, the government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any violent turn in workers’ protests. Last week acts of vandalism were reported from a few incidents across the emirates.

It is estimated that over 700,000 Asians are construction workers in the UAE. The country already affluent due to its rich oil reserves has been experiencing an economic boom from its real estate sector in recent years. Naturally, construction workers’ unrest has grave consequences for the UAE economy.

 

Bait Al Khair Society Children Heave a Sigh of Relief Friday, Oct 26 2007 

Dubai and Ramadan and UAE and human rights and inclusion and life and real estate and special needs eupdate 7:34 am

Bait Al Khair Society – a charitable organization in the UAE - have recently received donations worth 6 million AED from one of the largest real estate developers in the world Nakheel Properties. Bait Al Khair Society works for the welfare of the disadvantaged nationals of the United Arab Emirates. The generous gesture closely follows and is part of the ‘Ramadan Kareem Make a Wish’ charity initiative from the real estate developers.

Nakheel’s Ramadan charity campaign drew in 400,000 AED worth of donations from around the world. The company have pitched in more to make a total contribution of 6 million AED to Bait Al Khair Society as pledged during Ramadan. The occasion saw a boat trip to the Palm Jumeirah for 70 children from the Society courtesy Nakheel.

A word about Bait Al Khair Society

Established in 1989, Bait Al Khair Society raises funds and organizes programs for uplifting the disadvantaged sections of UAE society. Widows, divorcees, low-income nationals, patients, disabled nationals, families of prisoners, nationals with special needs, orphans and students from poor families come into the ambit of the organization. In order to carry out its charitable initiatives, Bait Al Khair Society works in collaboration with public welfare institutions in the Emirates.

 

Do Ramadan Charity at Wafi and Light your own Fanoos Thursday, Sep 13 2007 

Dubai and Ramadan and UAE and human rights and inclusion and life eupdate 9:19 am

One of the traditional symbols of Ramadan is the Fanoos or lantern. This Ramadan, anyone making even a nominal donation to the UAE Red Crescent Authority at the Wafi Mall will get the chance to light their own fanoos. Moreover, an oasis pool has been set up in the Mall where people can set their fanoos adrift. The money will go to the proceedings of an orphanage project in Dubai.

The practice of lighting the pool with fanoos in a peaceful aura will continue throughout the month of Ramadan. In addition to the fanoos campaign, there will also be a range of merchandise available during Ramadan. Stunning images of camels and falcons by renowned animal photographer Tim Flach will be up for sale, with all profits going to charity.

Ramadan is a special occasion for more than one billion people worldwide. This year with Ramadan fanoos awareness campaign in place, Wafi’s main motto is to inspire you for offering a ‘light of hope’ to charity. The occasion indeed symbolizes the true spirit of Ramadan.

 

Human Rights Protection in UAE Saturday, Aug 18 2007 

expatriates and human rights and illegal immigrants and life and updates dubai207 7:29 am

UAE government is keen on ensuring equal rights to all – be it an Emirati, expatriate or a tourist in the country. It is keen on providing an equal treatment to everyone without any kind of discrimination or prejudice. The constitution of the country has a number of rights and different aspects of freedom that can be enjoyed by its residents and visitors.

Not only this, in an instance of violation of your rights in any manner by a person or institution, whether government or private, you can get a helping hand from a number of places. Here’s an overview:

Illegal Human Trafficking:

I. Anti-human trafficking department of Dubai police

II. National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking
 
Tenant Disputes:

I. Municipality Rent Dispute Committee

Labour Dispute:

I. Labour department in Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah or Umm Al Quwain – for private sector employees

II. Ministry of Labour’s labour dispute section in Dubai

III. Ministry of Labour’s labour dispute section in Abu Dhabi

IV. Dubai Labour Court

V. Permanent Labour Committee hotline

VI. Human Rights Department of Dubai police

VII. Tanmia

Others:

I. Abused Women and Children’s Organization in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

II. Charity foundations of different expatriate communities, e.g. Egyptian community, Indian community, etc.

 

UAE bid to save child camel jockeys Thursday, Jul 5 2007 

UAE and human rights and illegal immigrants and updates dubai207 12:01 pm

The United Arab Emirates has proposed a fund to save child camel jockeys. This project is targeted at compensating child camel jockeys from four countries – Sudan, Mauritania, Pakistan and Bangladesh. These children have been involved with UAE camel races in the past.

The fund will provide the facility of independent claims to the children. In addition, the fund will open a savings account for each child wherein his earnings will be deposited. The respective collected amount would be transferred to the child when he turns 18 years old. The fund will also include compensation for any physical or emotional injury the child jockey may have gone through.

Back in 2005, the UNICEF had entered into an agreement with the United Arab Emirates with an aim to send child camel jockeys back to their homes. In the same year, the UAE banned children less than 18 years old from participating in camel races as jockeys. In April this year, the agreement with the UNICEF was renewed for two more years. It is estimated that the UAE has repatriated about 1100 child camel jockeys till date.